Ionising radiation safety

The following information only applies to HPL users

Introduction

At the CLF, radiation hazards can include sealed or open radiation sources, or high intensity laser-matter interactions that produce gamma-rays, x-rays, neutrons, or other energetic charged particles. Laser-matter interactions can also lead to induced radioactivity through activation.

All work involving ionising radiation will be approved and supervised by a CLF Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) and must follow the local rules in place for each area.

If your work will involve ionising radiation or will be within the CLF’s radiation supervised or controlled areas you must have prior authorisation. Your link scientist should identify any requirements in the planning stage of your experiment, such that proper control measures and authorisations can be put in place.

Area safety

Some laboratories within the CLF are classified as radiation controlled areas, where the accessible dose rate may exceed 7.5 µSv/h, or where specific controls are in place to reduce doses to personnel.

Do not enter any area to which you do not have pre-authorised access, or to which you are unsure whether or not you have pre-authorised access.

Before working in “radiation-designated areas,” you must read and understand the local rules and Standing Orders​. Link scientists will provide you with the necessary documents. A list of personnel authorised to work in an area during a high-intensity experiment will be displayed on the access door to the area.

Radiation responsibilities

If you are working within radiation-designated areas, you must:

  • adhere to all regulations
  • obtain written authorisation from the CLF before beginning any work with radioactive substances. No radioactive substance may to be brought onto the RAL site without prior written approval
  • avoid handling any radioactive material with a dose rate exceeding 20µSv/h at 10cm. Minimise your exposure to any radioactive material as much as possible
  • consult with beamline staff if you are unsure of proper procedures
  • report immediately if you become aware of any induced activity > 20µSv/h at 10cm
  • log (if authorised to do so) any induced radioactive materials > 0.1µSv/h at 10cm in the local logs provided

You must not:

  • remove any material from the radiation-designated area if it has a dose rate exceeding 0.1µSv/h on contact, unless you are transporting it with the prior agreement of the CLF and it is housed in a suitable container for the transportation of radioactive materials
  • interfere with or remove radiation shielding unless you have direct authorisation from the CLF. Any shielding modifications must be formally approved. Discuss this with your link scientists in advance

Activated materials

All materials and equipment surrounding the target interaction point have the potential to become activated during high intensity laser shots.

Working instructions are provided within the local rules for those areas and should be followed at all times.